Push-button air pump

ABSTRACT

A push-button air pump includes a casing, a blower device, and a push button device. A top panel of the casing is formed with a first inflation opening and a first deflation opening. The push button device includes an inflation button and a deflation button. The lower portion of the casing is formed with a second inflation opening and a second deflation opening. The inflation button and the deflation button are adapted to control inflation and deflation. This simplifies the complicated structure of the traditional turn-knob control. The size of the product becomes smaller. The way for inflation and deflation is simple, and the operation is convenient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air pump, and more particularly to a push-button air pump.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Chinese Patent Publication No. CN2779122Y discloses an electrical inflation and deflation pump for an inflatable article. Its structure comprises an air pump, a panel, a casing, and a pump seat. The air pump comprises a first valve plate, a second valve plate, and a valve plate transmission control device. The inlet of the air pump has an air inlet opening to communicate with the external space and another air inlet opening to communicate with the interior space of the inflatable article. The outlet of the air pump has an air outlet opening to communicate with the external space and another air outlet opening to communicate with the interior space of the inflatable article. The first valve plate is disposed between the two inlet openings of the inlet. The second valve plate is disposed between the two outlet openings of the outlet. The two valve plates are connected through a valve rod and the valve plate transmission control device. The valve plate transmission control device is adapted to control movement of the respective corresponding inlet and outlet openings for the first and second valve plates to open or close the respective corresponding inlet and outlet openings. The valve plate transmission control device is a hand wheel installed on the casing. The hand wheel is connected with a cam.

The conventional air pump uses the hand wheel on the casing to switch the valve plates of the inlet and outlet openings. It has some shortcomings. The structure is complicated. There are many transmission parts to cooperate with the hand wheel, which occupies a lot of space. The production assembly is complex. The seal effect is not god. The hand wheel is turned repeatedly to cause air leakage easily. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a push-button air pump instead of a traditional turn-knob inflation and deflation structure. The air pump has a simple structure for inflation and deflation, and can be operated conveniently, and is practical.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the push-button air pump of the present invention comprises a casing, a blower device installed in the casing, and a push button device used to control inflation and deflation. A top panel of the casing is formed with a first inflation opening and a first deflation opening. The push button device comprises an inflation button to open or close the first inflation opening and a deflation button to open or close the first deflation opening. The inflation button is movably installed at the first inflation opening. The deflation button is movably installed at the first deflation opening. The lower portion of the casing is formed with a second inflation opening and a second deflation opening. A flow switching device is provided between the second inflation opening and the second deflation opening to partition an inflation passage and a deflation passage. The inflation passage communicates with the first inflation opening and the second inflation opening. The deflation passage communicates with the first deflation opening and the second deflation opening. The flow switching device is located under the deflation button. When the inflation button is pressed, the inflation passage is opened and the blower device is started. When the deflation button is pressed, the flow switching device is triggered to close the inflation passage and open the deflation passage.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. The push-button air pump uses the inflation button and the deflation button to control inflation and deflation. This simplifies the complicated structure of the traditional turn-knob control. When the inflation button is pressed, the inflation passage is opened and the blower device is started. When the deflation button is pressed, the first inflation opening is closed automatically and the flow switching device is triggered to close the inflation passage and open the deflation passage. This design makes the size of the product smaller. The way for inflation and deflation is simple, and the operation is convenient. The flow switching device is driven by the deflation button directly. No matter in inflation state or in deflation state, it is able to dissipate heat for the blower device. The air pump has a simple structure and is practical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further exploded view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a further exploded view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the assembled middle and lower casings of the casing according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the assembled middle and lower casings of the casing according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in an inflation state;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a deflation state;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the bottom of the cord storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing that the turning portion of the cord storage device is turned down according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing that the turning portion of the cord storage device is turned up according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the cord storage device ready for inflation/deflation according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the cord storage device in an inflation/deflation state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 14, the air pump according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is used for air beds, inflatable trampolines, inflatable sofas, inflatable toys, and the like. The air pump comprises a casing 10, a blower device 20 and a flow switching device 30 installed in the casing 10, a push button device 40 installed on a top panel of the casing 10, and a cord storage device 70 used to store the power cord of the air pump.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the casing 10 is composed of an upper outer casing 101, a middle casing 102, and a lower outer casing 103. The upper outer casing 101, the middle casing 102, and the lower outer casing 103 are detachably connected. The top of the casing 10 is a plane panel. The top panel of the casing 10 is formed with a first inflation opening 11 and a first deflation opening 12. The casing 10 is provided with the flow switching device 30 therein and partitioned into an inflation passage 50 and a deflation passage 60. The lower portion of the casing 10 is formed with a second inflation opening 13 and a second deflation opening 14.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9, the casing 10 has a first room 15, a second room 16, and a third room 17 located at the bottom of the casing 10. The first room 15 and the second room 16 are separated with a partition 18. The upper end of the first room 15 communicates with the first inflation opening 11. The upper end of the second room 16 communicates with the first deflation opening 12. The bottoms of the first room 15 and the second room 16 communicate with the third room 17. The second inflation opening 13 communicates with the third room 17. The second deflation opening 14 communicates with the first room 15. The inflation passage 50 is formed by the first inflation opening 11, the first room 15, the third room 17, and the second inflation opening 13 to communicate with each other sequentially. The deflation passage 60 is formed by the second deflation opening 14, the first room 15, the third room 17, the second room 16, and the first deflation opening 12 to communicate with each other sequentially. When in inflation, the inflation passage 50 communicates with the first inflation opening 11 and the second inflation opening 13 to inflate the product to be inflated electrically. When in deflation, the deflation passage 60 communicates with the first deflation opening 12 and the second deflation opening 14 to deflate the product. During deflation, the blower device 20 can be turned on. Through the blower device 20, the air in the product can be deflated. The air can be deflated naturally without starting the blower device 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the blower device 20 is installed in the casing 10 and located at the junction of the inflation passage 50 and the deflation passage 60. The blower device 20 comprises a motor 21 and an impeller 22 driven by the motor 21. The motor 21 is installed in the first room 15. The impeller 22 is installed in the third room 17. Because the first room 15 is a common flow space for the inflation passage 50 and the deflation passage 60, the air flow will blow toward the motor 21 not only in inflation but also in deflation for heat dissipation of the motor 21. Thus, the heat dissipation structure of the motor 21 can be designed accordingly, without a separate heat dissipation device, to provide a self-cooling function effectively.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the push button device 40 is adapted to open or close the first inflation opening 11 and the first deflation opening 12. The push button device 40 comprises an inflation button 41, a deflation button 42, a first self-locking mechanism 43 used to lock the inflation button 41, and a second self-locking mechanism 44 used to lock the deflation button 42.

The inflation button 41 is movably installed at the first inflation opening 11. The inflation button 41 is provided with a first seal ring 411 disposed on a connecting surface of the inflation button 41 relative to the first inflation opening 11. When the inflation button 41 is pressed to open/close the first inflation opening 11, the first seal ring 411 can prevent air leakage. The deflation button 42 is movably installed at the first deflation opening 12. The deflation button 42 is provided with a second seal ring 421 disposed on a connecting surface of the deflation button 42 relative to the first deflation opening 12. Similarly, when the deflation button 42 is pressed to open/close the first deflation opening 12, the second seal ring 421 can prevent air leakage.

The first and second self-locking mechanisms 43, 44 have the same configuration. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first self-locking mechanism 43 is described as an example. The first self-locking mechanism 43 comprises a ratchet-like shaft 431, a spring 432, a support plate 433, and a fluted disc 434. The ratchet-like shaft 431 is integrally formed with the bottom of the inflation button 41. The support plate 433 is fixedly connected to the casing 10. The support plate 433 has two toothed holes 435 thereon. The spring 432 is fitted on the ratchet-like shaft 431 and is connected between the inflation button 411 and the support plate 433.

When the inflation button 41 is pressed to compress the spring 432, the ratchet-like shaft 431 will be driven to move down into the toothed hole 435 to engage with the fluted disc 434. This moment, the inflation button 41 is locked tightly by the first self-locking mechanism 43, and won't bounce automatically so as to open the first inflation opening 11. When it is necessary to close the first inflation opening 11, the inflation button 41 is pressed again so that the ratchet-like shaft 431 disengages from the fluted disc 434 to unlock. Thus, the inflation button 41 disengages from the first self-locking mechanism 43 and the spring 432 is restored, such that the inflation button 41 is returned up to seal the first inflation opening 11. Similarly, when the deflation button 42 is pressed to be locked tightly by the second self-locking mechanism 44, the first deflation opening 12 will be opened. When the deflation button 42 is pressed again to disengage from the second self-locking mechanism 44, the first deflation opening 12 will be closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the support plate 435 is provided with a switch 24 used to turn on the blower device 20. The switch 24 comprises a first electrode piece 241 and a second electrode piece 242 to cooperate with each other. One side of the first electrode piece 241 is against a spring 245. The inflation button 41 and the deflation button 42 each have a triggering rod 436 extending down from the bottom thereof. The first electrode piece 241 is located under the triggering rod 436. When the inflation button 41 or the deflation button 42 is pressed, the triggering rod 436 will press the first electrode piece 241 down to compress the spring 245 for the first electrode piece 251 and the second electrode piece 252 to contact with each other so as to electrify. Thus, when the inflation button 41 or the deflation button 42 is pressed, the first inflation opening 11 or the first deflation opening 12 can be opened and the motor 21 can be started to inflate by electricity.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, with the deflation button 42 to be pressed, the flow switching device 30 can close the second inflation opening 13 and open the second deflation opening 14 simultaneously. A return spring 35 is provided between the bottom of the flow switching device 30 and the deflation button 42. The return spring 35 provides a down force to press the flow switching device 30 down. The flow switching device 30 comprises an operation portion 31, a partition portion 32, an inflation valve 33, and a deflation valve 34. The operation portion 31 is located under the deflation button 42. The inflation valve 33 corresponds in position to the second inflation opening 13. The deflation valve 34 corresponds in position to the second deflation opening 14. Under a normal state, the flow switching device 30 is to open the second inflation opening 13 normally and close the second deflation opening 14 normally at the same time. When the deflation button 42 is pressed, the operation portion 31 is pressed down to compress the return spring 35 so as to close the second inflation opening 13 and open the second deflation opening 14. Thus, when the deflation button 42 is pressed, the deflation passage 60 is formed accordingly, without starting the motor 21. The air can be deflated automatically, alternatively, through the triggering rod 436 to trigger the motor 21 for deflation.

As shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 14, the motor 21 is driven by a power source. For the power cord 23 of the air pump to be stored better, the cord storage device 70 of the present invention is disposed on the top panel. The cord storage device 70 comprises a cord storage bracket 71 and a connecting member 72 used to install and support the cord storage bracket 71. The cord storage bracket 71 is made of a soft plastic material, so it has a certain elasticity and deformation capability.

As shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the cord storage bracket 71 comprises a top portion 711, a turning portion 712 which is integrally formed with a circumferential edge of the top portion 711 and can be turned over relative to the top portion 711, and a cord storage space 713 formed between the turning portion 712 and the top portion 711. When in use, the power cord 23 of the air pump is coiled and received in the cord storage space 713 so that the entire appearance of the air pump is tidy and the cord storage bracket 71 can accommodate the plug of the power cord effectively to prevent the user from being hurt. Besides, the cord storage bracket 71 can protect the power cord better, having dust-proof and waterproof functions.

At least one binding strap 714 is provided in the cord storage space 713. The power cord 23 can be bound and positioned by one or more binding straps 714 as desired. In this embodiment, the number of the binding straps 714 is two. The two binding straps 714 are arranged at two sides of the cord storage space 713. The binding strap 714 is an elastic plastic strap which is connected to the inner side of the top portion 711 of the cord storage bracket 71. Two ends of the binding strap 714 are integrated with the top portion 711 of the cord storage bracket 71, so that the binding strap 714 has an arc shape. After the power cord 23 is coiled, the power cord 23 will be tied tightly by the binding strap 714 like an elastic band.

The cord storage bracket 71 can be made in an oval shape or a round shape. Between the turning portion 712 and the top portion 711 is a curved configuration 715 which is beneficial for the turning portion 712 to be turned up or down. As shown in FIG. 11, the turning portion 712 is turned down under the normal state. As shown in FIG. 12, when it is necessary to store the power cord 23, the turning portion 712 is turned up for convenient operation, such that the power cord 23 can be coiled in the cord storage space 713. After the power cord 23 is coiled, the power cord 23 is tied tightly by the two binding straps 714. Finally, the turning portion 712 is turned down to store the power cord 23. Thus, the operation to collect the power cord 23 is convenient and simple, and the appearance of the air pump is tidy.

Furthermore, the bottom of the connecting member 72 extends out of the lower end of the cord storage space 713. The lowermost end of the connecting member 72 is lower than the lowermost end of the turning portion 712. A distance H is formed between the lowermost end of the connecting member 72 and the lowermost end of the turning portion 712, referring to FIG. 14. Thereby, there is a certain gap for the air flow of inflation or deflation to pass through the surface of the panel 19 at the top of the casing 10.

FIG. 13 shows the air pump in a state ready for inflation. At this time, the turning portion 712 is turned up, and the binding strap 714 is untied to pull the power cord 23 out. When inflation or deflation is required, the user stretches his/her hand to press the inflation button 41 or the deflation button 42 under the cord storage bracket 71 to start the motor 21 for inflation/deflation with electricity. Under the inflation/deflation state, as shown in FIG. 14, the turning portion 12 is turned down to lower the noise of the motor 21 effectively.

The working principle of the air pump of the present invention is described as follows:

As shown in FIG. 10, for inflation, the inflation button 41 is pressed to trigger the switch 24 of the motor 21. When the inflation button 41 is pressed, the inflation button 41 is locked by the first self-locking mechanism 43 so as to open the first inflation opening 11. When the inflation button 41 is pressed, the first electrode piece 241 is pressed simultaneously to contact with the second electrode piece 242 to start the switch 24. The motor 21 drives the impeller 22 to turn, such that the air of the first inflation opening 11 flows to the product to be inflated through the inflation passage 50.

As shown in FIG. 11, for deflation, the deflation button 42 is pressed to trigger the flow switching device 30. When the deflation button 42 is pressed, the deflation button 42 is locked by the second self-locking mechanism 44 so as to open the first deflation opening 12. When the deflation button 42 is pressed, the flow switching device 30 is pressed down so as to open the second deflation opening 14 and close the second inflation opening 13, such that the deflation passage 60 is unimpeded for the product to deflate automatically.

The feature of the present invention is that the push-button air pump uses the inflation button 41 and the deflation button 42 to control inflation and deflation. This simplifies the complicated structure of the traditional turn-knob control. The size of the product becomes smaller. The way for inflation and deflation is simple, and the operation is convenient. The flow switching device 30 is driven by the deflation button 42 directly. No matter in inflation state or in deflation state, it is able to dissipate heat for the blower device 20. The air pump has a simple structure and is practical.

The seal rings are provided between the inflation/deflation buttons and the inflation/deflation openings, preventing air leakage and providing a better seal effect when not in inflation/deflation state.

Besides, the cord storage bracket 71 is adapted to cover the power cord 23, so that the appearance of the entire air pump is tidy and the cord storage bracket 71 can accommodate the plug of the power cord 23 effectively to prevent the user from being hurt. In addition, the cord storage bracket 71 can protect the power cord 23 better, having dust-proof and waterproof functions.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A push-button air pump comprising a casing, a blower device installed in the casing, and a push button device used to control inflation and deflation, a top panel of the casing being formed with a first inflation opening and a first deflation opening, the push button device comprising an inflation button to open or close the first inflation opening and a deflation button to open or close the first deflation opening, the inflation button being movably installed at the first inflation opening, the deflation button being movably installed at the first deflation opening; a lower portion of the casing being formed with a second inflation opening and a second deflation opening, a flow switching device being provided between the second inflation opening and the second deflation opening to partition an inflation passage and a deflation passage, the inflation passage communicating with the first inflation opening and the second inflation opening, the deflation passage communicating with the first deflation opening and the second deflation opening, the flow switching device being located under the deflation button; wherein when the inflation button is pressed, the inflation passage is opened and the blower device is started; wherein when the deflation button is pressed, the flow switching device is triggered to close the inflation passage and open the deflation passage.
 2. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push button device comprises a first self-locking mechanism disposed under the inflation button, the first self-locking mechanism being adapted to lock the inflation button; the push button device further comprises a second self-locking mechanism disposed the deflation button, the second self-locking mechanism being adapted to lock the deflation button.
 3. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second self-locking mechanisms each comprise a ratchet-like shaft, a spring, a support plate, and a fluted disc, the ratchet-like shaft being integrally formed with a bottom of the inflation button or the deflation button, the support plate being fixedly connected to the casing, the support plate having two toothed holes thereon, the spring being fitted on the ratchet-like shaft and connected between the inflation button and the support plate, wherein when the inflation button or the deflation button is pressed, the ratchet-like shaft is driven to move down into the toothed hole to engage with the fluted disc.
 4. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing has a first room, a second room, and a third room located at a bottom of the casing, an upper end of the first room communicating with the first inflation opening, an upper end of the second room communicating with the first deflation opening, bottoms of the first room and the second room communicating with the third room, the second inflation opening communicating with the third room, the second deflation opening communicating with the first room; the first inflation opening, the first room, the third room, and the second inflation opening communicating with each other sequentially to form the inflation passage; the second deflation opening, the first room, the third room, the second room, and the first deflation opening communicating with each other sequentially to form the deflation passage.
 5. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 4, wherein the blower device is installed in the casing and located at the junction of the inflation passage and the deflation passage; the blower device comprises a motor and an impeller driven by the motor, the motor being installed in the first room, the impeller being installed in the third room.
 6. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cord storage device is provided on the top panel of the casing to store a power cord, the cord storage device comprising a cord storage bracket made of a soft plastic material and a connecting member used to install the cord storage bracket on the top panel, the cord storage bracket comprising a top portion, a turning portion which is integrally formed with a circumferential edge of the top portion and can be turned over relative to the top portion, and a cord storage space formed between the turning portion and the top portion.
 7. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one binding strap is provided in the cord storage space, the binding strap being an elastic plastic strap which is integrated with an inner side of the top portion of the cord storage bracket, two ends of the binding strap being integrated with the top portion of the cord storage bracket.
 8. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower end of the flow switching device is against a return spring, the flow switching device comprising an operation portion, a partition portion, an inflation valve, and a deflation valve, the operation portion being located under the deflation button, the inflation valve corresponding in position to the second inflation opening, the deflation valve corresponding in position to the second deflation opening.
 9. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflation button is provided with a first seal ring disposed on a connecting surface of the inflation button relative to the first inflation opening; the deflation button is provided with a second seal ring disposed on a connecting surface of the deflation button relative to the first deflation opening.
 10. The push-button air pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support plate is provided with a switch used to turn on the blower device, the switch comprising a first electrode piece and a second electrode piece to cooperate with each other, one side of the first electrode piece being against a return spring, the inflation button and the deflation button each having a triggering rod extending from the bottom thereof, the first electrode piece being to connect with or disconnect from the second electrode piece along with movement of the triggering rod. 